BS Staffordshire, creative county

Subject: BS Staffordshire, creative county
From: greg stephens
Date: 25 Sep 04 - 02:04 PM

Signs have just been erected on roads coming into Staffordshire (England), which say "Staffordshire, the creative county". Similarly, Simon Hoggart in the Guardian today reports a sign he has seen, on entering Hampshire. It said "Welcome to the County of Hampshire--Where Partnershp Works".
   Can anybody else report any similar drivel down your way? Who thinks this stuff up? And, of more interest, I wonder how much they get paid for these brilliant ideas.

Subject: RE: BS Staffordshire, creative county
From: GUEST,jennifer
Date: 25 Sep 04 - 02:09 PM

When you come into Nottinghamshire it says "Robin Hood County" then when you come into Sherwood "Robin Hood Country". Wringing every last drop...

We always liked the sign in the Midlands that says "Hints - please drive carefully". Took my husband some time to realise the village was called Hints.

Subject: RE: BS Staffordshire, creative county
From: greg stephens
Date: 25 Sep 04 - 07:02 PM

Warwickshire has Shakespeare's county on signs. I think. Quite accetable, like Robin Hood. It's the "making partnership work" sort of rubbish I'm particularly on the lookout for.And why is Staffordshire the"creative county"? Not that it's uncreative....it just doesnt seem a characteristic it's been that famous for, up to now that is.

Subject: RE: BS Staffordshire, creative county
From: Chris Green
Date: 25 Sep 04 - 07:03 PM

On entering Coventry until a few years ago you would be greeted with the sign "Coventry - the city in Shakespeare country". It now merely says "Coventry Inspires" (a crap pun on Coventry having three spires until the Luftwaffe bombed one of them) And in case anyone thinks I'm being anti-German, I should in fairness add that the council probably would have pulled down the third spire anyway to make way for the ring road!

Subject: RE: BS Staffordshire, creative county
From: greg stephens
Date: 25 Sep 04 - 07:06 PM

They have very mundane slogans for towns in Ireland. Cork is my favourite, on the signs driving in it says "Cork, a university city since 1845".

Subject: RE: BS Staffordshire, creative county
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Sep 04 - 07:07 PM

Staffordshire is probably cashing in on the potteries? But Hampshire, no idea about their partnerships.

Subject: RE: BS Staffordshire, creative county
From: Compton
Date: 25 Sep 04 - 07:19 PM

Oatcakes, Spitfires, Angling, Anna of the 5 Towns and decent crockery...what more could you want?....Hanley now has a "Cultural Quarter" !!!

Subject: RE: BS Staffordshire, creative county
From: greg stephens
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 02:40 AM

Hanley has indeed got a cultural quarter, with lots of brown signs pointing to it.It's even got a theatre in it, though unfortunately no actors.But they do have a pantomime coming up, with someone in it who used to be in Emmerdale, apparently.Wedgewood and co were amazingly creative, and Reginald Mitchell: but I dont think notably more creative than the inhabitants of other counties. But the oatcake shops are stull going strong. Cheese and onion double with brown sauce is my usual.

Subject: RE: BS Staffordshire, creative county
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 11:34 AM

I have been to staffordshire several times and I will personally vouch for the creativity of all the inhabitants.

Dr Johnson, Julian Cope and the brewery in Burton - with all that beer, it sort of lubricates the wheels of creativity.

If you've got writers block , go to Staffordshire and get unconstipated.

Subject: RE: BS Staffordshire, creative county
From: Compton
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 04:23 PM

...........and I forgot...MARMITE!!, Branston Pickle, How long can we go on!

Subject: RE: BS Staffordshire, creative county
From: greg stephens
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 06:09 PM

OK I take it all back, Staffs is the most creative county. Anybody got any more funny slogans?

Subject: RE: BS Staffordshire, creative county
From: Mr Red
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 07:08 PM

Stroud - entrance to the five valleys

factual and just prosaic enough to miss the drivel accolade.

Marmite is creative? OK OK maybe you are right - one mention of Marmite and you are guarranteed to create a commotion of dissaproving voices. As a Staffordshire man I feel I have to apologise for Marmite. Some prefer their yeast to have done enough work just sitting on the hops - or apples.

Subject: RE: BS Staffordshire, creative county
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 03:41 AM

not to mention Rugeley, home of the first mass poisoner William Palmer. Even the muderers are stars of the homicidal galaxy....

Subject: RE: BS Staffordshire, creative county
From: Mr Red
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 07:58 AM

Ah! Ruggelly ---- not quite my spiritual home.

Subject: RE: BS Staffordshire, creative county
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 08:22 AM

On my recent visit to the states I noticed they do similar on state license plates. Illinois made sense as 'Land of Lincoln' but no-one could explain Missouri - 'The show me state'!

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS Staffordshire, creative county
From: Snuffy
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 09:15 AM

Many years ago I recall mail being franked Newport: home of the self-grip wrench, but that was the one in South Wales, not the one in Shropshire

Subject: RE: BS Staffordshire, creative county
From: IvanB
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 09:05 PM

Dtg, Missourians in the past have had the reputation of being disbelieving, to the extent that almost any claim was met with the challenge "Show me!" Seems to me the stereotype is somewhat outdated, so why they use the slogan on their license plates is a puzzler to me too, but that's the source.

Subject: RE: BS Staffordshire, creative county
From: Mr Red
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 08:03 AM

do we believe that or should you show me?